DHEL PASS – A GHNP GATEWAY FROM SAINJ TO THEERTHAN

Experience a high altitude trek to a mountain much away from humanity which provides the way of transition between two magnificent valleys; the Sainj and Tirthan Valley in Great Himalayan National Park!.
Dhel thatch is one of the jewel of the GHNP in Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary area and provides a pass to go to Teerthan valley from Sainj via foot. It also provides spectacular 360 degrees views of higher peaks around along with opportunity to observe variety of raw wild life. The forest is thicker, and the temperature goes below 0 degree celcius at night. One can spot sheep, bears, musk deers, Eurasian cuckoo, and snow-capped mountains all around.

• Region

SAINJ WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK, KULLU, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA, EARTH

• Duration

7 NIGHTS & 8 DAYS

• Level

EXPEDITION/TOUGH

• Maximum Altitude

3737 Meters | 12260 Feets ASL

• Trekking Distance

60 KMS / 37 MILES

• Temperature

15 To Minus 5 Degrees Celsius

Spread in an area of over 754 square kilometers, the GHNP is next to the Pin Valley National Park, Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries making it one of the biggest areas for wildlife conservation in the whole Himalayan range. This jewel in the crown of the Himalayas consists of luxuriant oak forests, flaming rhododendron trees, crystal clear sparkling rivers, jagged virgin peaks and some of the rarest of animals, birds & medicinal herbs found nowhere else in the whole world.

Its home to about 215 species of birds with pheasants like the Western Tragopan, Cheer, Monal, Koklash and Kaleej along with other birds like the white throated tit & the Lammergeyer. GHNP is home to the elusive snow leopard along with having other mammals like the Himalayan Brown & black bears, Common Leopard, blue sheep, musk and barking Deer, Ghoral , Serow & the omnipresent Redfox. It’s also a repository of rare medicinal herb like Jatamansi, Kadoo, Patish and the recently found Nag Chatri along with & hundreds more which continue to be the main source of income for local population. However conscious efforts are being made both by the park authorities to minimize human impact and provide alternative income generation methods to locals such as ecotourism.

In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.The Unesco World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of “outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation.

Dhel Pass trek is conducted around here and starts from Shanghar.

ABOUT SHANGHAR:

It is a remote & exotic Himalayan hamlet at an altitude of around 2050 mts (6700 feet) ASL situated in Sainj valley surrounded by GHNP and is home to beautiful golf ground like natural meadow which said to be belonging to local devta (god) hidden from onslaught of regular party tourists. Shanghar is basically 55 kms while coming from Mandi (Chandigarh side) and 45 kms while coming from Kullu (Manali side).

Shanghar to Shakti | 2260 Mts/7415 Ft ASL

We usually start from Shanghar early after breakfast. We reach Niharini a in taxi. Niharini is where we start the trek from. After trekking for around 4 to 6 hours along the beautiful Sainj River to reach the Shakti trekker huts, we have lunch. The walk through beautiful forests with amazing biodiversity remains in the memory for years. We trek to reach Shakti which is a small village where resides a very powerful local god. We rest there and wrap up the day with good food, bon fire, and conversations.

Shakti to Humkhani Thatch | 3000 Mts/9843 Ft ASL

We start from Shakti after breakfast towards lower meadow in Humkhani forest via Maraur. We trek for around 4 to 6 hours with mild hike to reach the Humkhani camp site. The sight is breath taking all through. Lush greenery, rivers, clouds, village life and what not. After reaching, we take rest followed by refreshments & bonfire. Overnight stay in Humkhani in tents is another beautiful experience as there are million stars in the night sky!

Humkhani to Dhel Thatch | 4000 Mts/13124 Ft ASL

As usual, after breakfast, we start from Humkhani. The trek from there is for around 4 to 6 hours with some steep hike to reach Dhel Thatch. Upon reaching the thatch, one forgets everything else in life! All that remains is the beautiful scenery, the freshness, the thrilling moment. We follow the same route to return to Niharini and back to Shanghar.

BY AIR

Nearest airport from Shanghar is Kullu Manali Airport located in Bhuntar. It is around 49 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Bhuntar to Shanghar or the HRTC bus from bus stand at 2:00 PM which usually reach Shanghar by 6 PM via Larji & Sainj

BY TRAIN

Nearest railway station from Shanghar is Joginder Nagar in Mandi. It is around 118 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Joginder Nagar or the HRTC bus from bus to Mandi/Aut and then to Shanghar/Sainj. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.

BY ROAD

From New Delhi Shanghar is around 540 kms via Karnal-Ambala-Chandigarh-Bilaspur-Mandi-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa road, one can either take a direct taxi from from Delhi to Shanghar which will take around 10-12 hours minimum drive or can take a bus from either ISBT or Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi to Thalaut/Aut (before tunnel), from Mandi/Aut one can take either direct taxi or bus to Sainj/Shanghar. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.

If you plan on taking a personal vehicle from Delhi, drive/ride through the road on the right before Aut Tunnel on Chandigarh-Manali Highway. Drive through Larji to Sainj bypass (upper road) to reach Ropa on Neuli road. From Ropa, take the 7 kms road on the right going upwards that will take you to Shanghar through one of the best scenic trips you will ever have experienced. It will be a long journey and a night halt at Bilaspur or Mandi is recommended if you feel tired.
If coming from Manali Shanghar is around 95 kms via Naggar-Bhuntar-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road.
If coming from Shimla Shanghar is around 203 kms via Ghaghas-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road and around 265 via Narkanda-Luhri-Jalori Pass-Banjar-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa